Drew Manns pleads guilty to LCCC arson of 2009

MORNING JOURNAL/RICHARD PAYERCHIN
Drew Manns, 29, the man accused of setting a fire at Lorain County Community College, stands with defense attorney Jay Milano at Lorain County Common Pleas Court on Monday. Manns pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated arson in the case.

ELYRIA — A man accused of setting a 2009 fire that damaged parts of Lorain County Community College pleaded guilty to aggravated arson in the case.
Drew Manns, 29, of Elyria, pleaded guilty on Monday at Lorain County Common Pleas Court. He is due back in court in November for a sentencing hearing.
No one was hurt the evening of Feb. 18, 2009, but students and faculty evacuated LCCC buildings as smoke rose up from the basement of the college’s Business Building.
The fire forced the cancellation of classes for two days and smoke entered several buildings on the campus through underground tunnels and ventilation systems.
Manns was charged with aggravated arson after the fire, but prosecutors dismissed the charges in order to wait for tests on several pieces of evidence. Lorain County Prosecutor Dennis Will previously said that they have had probable cause, but he said they needed to do a longer investigation.
The fire caused about $8 million in damages, Will said previously.
In summer 2012, the Lorain County grand jury indicted Manns for two counts of aggravated arson. Now he faces up to eight years in prison for the charges, according to court records.
Monday’s hearing lasted less than 10 minutes as Assistant Prosecutor Laura Dezort and defense attorney Jay Milano explained Manns’ decision to change his plea from innocent to guilty.
Judge Mark Betleski asked Manns a series of questions to ensure he understood his legal rights. Manns could get up to five years of probation, but also could face a prison term, the judge said.
In court, Manns appeared in shackles and a gray striped uniform with “Lorain County Jail Prisoner” printed on the back of his shirt. He answered “yes” to the judge’s questions as Milano showed him the legal paperwork used in the case.
Manns said he had no questions about the proceeding. It did not appear any LCCC officials attended the hearing.
Betleski ordered a presentence investigation and he advised Manns to cooperate with the officer who would prepare the report.
The judge said he anticipated “a good deal of information” about potential restitution and a sentence. He also told the lawyers to file any sentencing memoranda so he has adequate time to read them.
Afterward, Milano declined to comment on a possible reason why Manns set the fire at the college campus.
The physical damages at the college are significant but Manns is not a dangerous person, Milano said.
“I think Drew Manns is a difficult case and an unfortunate young man,” Milano said afterward.
“He was damaged at birth through no fault of his own, and it has affected his whole life,” he said. “It’s now up to the judge with our help to determine exactly what should be done.
“There’s very little that Drew’s done in his life that has been wholly his fault,” Milano said. “The brain damage that he’s suffered is significant.”
As for sentencing, Milano said he would ask the judge for a “comprehensive package” that includes treatment for Manns in a controlled environment.
Despite previous incidents and jail sentences, no one has ever taken time with Manns, Milano said. In this case they hope to break that cycle, he added.
“Drew is the saddest kid I’ve ever worked with, really,” Milano said.
It was unclear what he may be ordered to pay in restitution.
“He’s responsible for what happened,” Milano said. “How much he could ever actually pay back is a whole different story.”